Coach and Volunteer Code of Conduct

Version 1 Policy Document

Status: Version 1 for committee adoption and use by the South Galway Stormers Basketball Club. This document should be reviewed against current Basketball Ireland, Sport Ireland and legal requirements before adoption and during each review cycle.

• Document owner: Club Committee / Coaching Lead (sgstormersbc@gmail.com) / Secretary (secretary.sgsbc@gmail.com)

• Version: Version 1

• Prepared for: South Galway Stormers Basketball Club

• Version date: 14 July 2026

• Review cycle: Annual or sooner if Basketball Ireland/Sport Ireland guidance changes

1. Purpose

This Code applies to all coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, table officials, committee members, fundraising volunteers and other adults acting on behalf of South Galway Stormers Basketball Club.

2. Core Standard

Coaches and volunteers hold positions of trust. They must act in a way that protects children, supports player development and upholds the reputation of the Club and Basketball Ireland.

3. Required Behaviour

• Place the welfare, safety and dignity of children and young people above performance outcomes.

• Treat all players fairly and with respect.

• Plan age-appropriate, inclusive and safe activities.

• Use positive coaching and constructive feedback.

• Respect referees, table officials, opponents, parents and other coaches.

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with players in person, online and during travel.

• Avoid one-to-one situations with a child where possible and follow the Club supervision policy.

• Use official or approved communication channels for team matters.

• Report safeguarding, bullying, injury or conduct concerns through the correct process.

• Keep attendance records where required.

• Handle personal information confidentially and only for club purposes.

4. Prohibited Behaviour

• Bullying, intimidation, humiliation, abusive language or discriminatory conduct.

• Physical punishment or excessive training as punishment.

• Private social media contact with underage players outside agreed club channels.

• Transporting a child alone except in an emergency or where expressly approved by a parent/guardian and recorded.

• Use of alcohol, drugs or inappropriate behaviour while responsible for players.

• Sharing images, videos or personal information without appropriate consent.

5. Coach Licensing and Compliance

Coaches involved in Basketball Ireland competitions must hold the required Basketball Ireland coaching licence and must maintain the required coaching certificate, Garda vetting and safeguarding training. General coach or team manager contact may be routed through the Club Registrar (registrar.sgsbc@gmail.com). Coaching compliance queries may be directed to the Coaching Lead (sgstormersbc@gmail.com). The Club should maintain a compliance record for all coaches and relevant volunteers.

6. Breaches

Breaches may result in guidance, additional supervision, suspension from duties, removal from role, referral to the Committee, referral to Basketball Ireland, or reporting to statutory authorities where required.

7. Acknowledgement

Name: ________________________________ Role: ________________________________

Signature: _____________________________ Date: ______________________________

Reference Points Used for Version 1

This Version 1 document has been prepared as a club-level document using Basketball Ireland and Sport Ireland resources as reference points. The club should adopt official Basketball Ireland documents where required and update this document whenever national guidance changes.

• Basketball Ireland Codes of Conduct for All 2025: https://ireland.basketball/downloads

• Basketball Ireland Coaching Minimum Standards: https://ireland.basketball/coaching-minimum-standards

• Basketball Ireland Safeguarding / Child Welfare: https://ireland.basketball/childprotection

• Basketball Ireland Garda E-Vetting: https://ireland.basketball/e-vetting

• Basketball Ireland Coach Licensing: https://ireland.basketball/coach-licencing

• Sport Ireland Safeguarding Sport: https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/safeguarding-sport

• Sport Ireland Garda Vetting: https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/garda-vetting

Committee Review Record

• Date: Reviewed by Decision / Changes Next review

• [Insert details]: [Insert details] [Insert details] [Insert details]